The progressive parent Harnessing the power of science and social justice to raise awesome kids

Journalist, analyst, and speaker Kavin Senapathy (Fear Babe, 2015) writes straight from the heart as a progressive parent. She grants that parenting is fraught and complicated, even without a committed focus on science and social justice. Senapathy is well-versed in social justice values that put equity into action, yet approaches parenting choices with humility and encourages others to do likewise. She is pro-science yet also cautious, acknowledging that science is often based on consensus--she shares instances of imperfect science and shares compelling reasons for not judging those who bottle-feed, use plastic straws, or delay vaccines. Her own traumatic labor and delivery story is relatable and honest and illustrates the importance of informed choices and the sacredness of bodily autonomy. Chapters cover a full range of progressive touchpoints, including ableism, gender, and race. She also teaches and preaches on not falling for "rampant greenwashing," instead questioning capitalism and a reliance on consumption. Senapathy distills the moral pith of today's issues and applies progressive values to parenting practices that will encourage the well-being of every child.

Senapathy, a science journalist and parent of two, presents an underwhelming exploration of how left-leaning parents can raise their children in ways that reflect their values. Senapathy is at their best when examining how social inequities taint traditional parenting guidance. For instance, they contend that breastfeeding's benefits are often overstated because scientific research on the subject fails to account for the fact that breastfeeding study participants are usually wealthier and better able to afford quality healthcare than their formula-using peers, making it appear that their children's superior health outcomes are due to breastfeeding when in actuality they reflect breastfeeding parents' greater resources. Unfortunately, most of the book is devoted to lengthy defenses of progressive stances, crowding out the scant parenting advice. A chapter on race thoroughly debunks the notion that it has any biological basis, but suggestions to "take any opportunity to undermine race in our parenting" and "share power by setting an example" are too vague to be helpful. Parenting barely factors into Senapathy's measured discussion of nuclear energy's benefits and condemnation of corporate greenwashing, which concludes with familiar recommendations to recycle and eat less meat. There's disappointingly little practical guidance, and progressive readers likely already agree with the positions Senapathy spends most of the volume defending. Despite good intentions, this falls short. Agent: Chris Bucci, Aevitas Creative Management. (Aug.)